Goggle fastening means



Sept. 26, 1933. R MALCOM 1,928,358

GOGGLE FASTENING MEANS Filed Jan. 28, 1932 Patented Sept. Z6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT ,oF-FICE Y 3 Claims.

My invention relates to means for adjustably fastening the two eye-cups of goggles together, thereby adapting the goggles to the varying facial contours and eye-positions of different users; Ysaid means being of such construction that it will securely maintain the adjusted relation between the eye-cups. f

The objects and advantages of my invention will be readily oomprehended from the foliowing detailed description of the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 illustrates a goggle in front elevation, provided with my improved fastening means; portions of the head straps being broken away.

Figure 2 is a sectional view vof the inner or nose sides of the two eye-cups with the protecting shield of the fastening means in section.

Figure 3 is a similar view disclosing the maximum adjusted relation of the eye-cups.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the fastening means.

My invention relates more especially to means for fastening the eye-cups of a goggle together, namely the means which bridges thenose of the wearer. Y

The eye-cups 10, 10 of the goggles are usually made with lens holding walls 11 of rigid material and shaped at the inner perimeter to nt the contour of the face about the eyes.

As facial contours and the positions of the eyes of different usersv vary, it is essential to provide eye-cup fastening or holding means which may be readily adjusted so as to hold the two eyecups in proper spaced relation, without, however, placing them under a contracting tension which would subject the wearer to an uncomfortable pressure and in time injurious strain.

My improved means consists in providing the nose opposing side wall of each eye-cup 10 with a similar socket member 12, preferably made of thin sheet metal formed to provide the tubular or thimble portion 13 provided with an annular flange 14, at one end, and with an arcuate end wall 15 at the other end.

One side of the tubular portion 13 is provided with a relatively large opening 16 and a slot 17 which extends into the end wall 15 and terminates in the opening or hole 18 arranged centrally in the end of the tubular portion or thimble 13.

In the particular exemplication of the invention, the eye-cup walls 11 are provided intermediate of the outer lens holding perimeters and the inner or face engaging perimeters with a small hole just suflicient to receive the tubular portions 13 of the thimbles or socket members 12. These socket members 12 are inserted in the holes from the inside of the eye-cups so that the flanges 14 will extend adjacent to the inner faces of the sidewalls as shown'in'Figures 2 and 3. 1 Y

The fastening or connecting means also involves the flexible element 19, preferably in the nature of a chain consisting of small spherical members or balls 20 threaded on or apertured to receive the flexible cord or wire 21, whose ends are secured to the end balls; the cord or wire 2l being of length suificient to permit slight shifting orspacing between the spherical members 20, as shown in the enlarged perspective view, Figure 4.

The hole 18 in the end walls of the tubular portionsV 13 of the thimbles is just sufficient to permit passage of the cord or wire 21, without permitting the enlarged or spherical portions 20 tov pass therethrough; and the slot 17 is also of a 7 size -just sufficient for passage yof the cord or wire 21; while the opening or hole 16 in the tubular portion 13 is sufficient for passage of an enlarged or spherical member 20.

The tubular portion 13 of the thimble 12 is of a size, internally, to house one of the enlarged or spherical members 2O of the connecting element; and the rear or inner flanged ends of the thimbles 12 are open for passage of a spherical member therethrough, as shown in Figure 2.

Each eye-cup 10 is preferably provided with a thimble or socket member 12, although if desired merely one eye-cup need be so provided and one end of the connecting or fiexible element 19 may be permanently secured to the other eye-cup; it being, however, more desirable to have both ends of the connecting element 19 secured by using two thimbles, thus enabling the element 19 to be readily replaced or renewed and also permitting extreme adjustment to be made and not have all of the loose or taken-up links or spherical portions disposed within one of the eye-cups.

The connecting element 19 is of length to permit the extreme eye-cup separation or spread shown in Figure 3 adapted for the maximum eye spacing. If this spacing of the eye-cups is the open flanged or inner ends of the thimbles 12, as shown in Figure 2.

The connecting element 19 is preferably provided with a soft yieldable covering, such as a small piece of rubber tubing 22 of length corresponding to the minimum spacing of the eye-cups but suflicient to cover the portion of the connecting element which passes over the bridge of the nose.

With my invention, the necessity of manufacturing goggles with varying spaced eye-cups is unnecessary, While on the other hand the goggle may be quickly adjusted to t the eyes of different users by simply withdrawing one of the thimbles 12 and one end of element 19 into the eyecup and adjusting the element 19 as previously stated and then forcing the thimble back into the hole in the eye-cup wall with the flange 14 against the inner side of the eye-cup wall.

I have illustrated what is believed to be the best embodiment of the invention and have described it in terms employed merely for purposes of description and not as terms of limitation, as modifications may be made without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. Goggle fastening means comprising, in combination with the eye-cups of a goggle, the nose opposing side Walls whereof are each provided with an opening, a socket member adapted to be inserted in the eye-cup wall opening, the side wall of the member having an opening of predetermined size, a smaller opening in the end wall of the member, a slot connecting the two openings, and a connecting element provided with a plurality of enlarged portions larger than the end wall openings but adapted to pass through the first mentioned openings in the socket member.

2. Goggle fastening means comprising, in combination with a pair of eye-cups, the nose opposing side walls whereof are each provided with an opening, thimble members insertible through the eye-cup wall openings from within the eyecups, the inner open ends of the thimbles being formed to hold the thimbles in place, the side wall of each thimble having an opening of predetermined size, while the closed outer end of each thimble has a smaller opening, a slot between the two openings, and a flexible connecting element provided with spaced apart enlargements larger than the end Wall small openings vin the thimbles but adapted to pass through the first mentioned openings in the thimble side walls.

y3. Goggle fastening means comprising, in cornbination with a pair of eye-cups the nose side wall of at least one eye-cup having an opening therethrough; a flexible element for iiexibly connecting the eye-oups together and provided with a plurality of spaced apart enlarged portions; a thimble member insertible through the side wall opening from the cup interior, one end of the thimble member being closed While the other end is lopen and said latter end provided with an outwardly disposed continuous flange whereby complete passage of the thimble through the wall opening is prevented and the thimble loosely held in place with the open end of the thimble opening into the eye-cup, the side Wall of said thimble being provided with an opening adapted for passage of an enlarged portion of the flexible element therethrough, said opening being arranged intermediate of the ends of the thimble so as to be closed by the cup-wall when the thimble is in place, the closed end of the thimble having a small opening adapted to prevent passage of an enlarged portion of the flexible element therethrough, while the open end of the thimble is adapted to permit the enlarged portions of said element to pass therethrough to the eye-cup interior, and a connecting slot in the side wall of the thimble between the large opening in the side Wall and the small. opening in the closed end.

ROBERT MALCOM. 

